Early detection of pancreatic cancer may have saved my brother, says campaigner
A pancreatic cancer campaigner has said early detection of the disease could have saved her brother's life, as she brought her 200,000-name petition to the Scottish Parliament.
Isla Gear's brother Tam Barker died on Boxing Day last year, following months of symptoms which were not identified as being caused by cancer.
Mr Barker, a cab driver from Fife, had been to the doctor's surgery six times and A&E three times throughout the year but the cancer was not spotted until November.
One of his final wishes was for a campaign to help others in his situation, and his sister decided to take up the cause.
On Thursday, she and Tam's son Max, 12, handed over copies of her letter to MSPs at Holyrood.
It calls for regular monitoring of those at highest risk of pancreatic cancer and the development of new tests for early detection.
Ms Gear, from Leven in Fife, told the PA news agency a simple test in a GP's surgery could have 'given him a longer chance, if not saved his life'.
She said: 'From this, we can save someone's life in honour of what Tam wanted.
'Tam thought he would beat the statistic and he was very hopeful…
'He said 'If anything comes from this, the one thing I want is to stop it from happening to other families'.
'I don't know if he knew he was passing then, or if he thought he was going to be here to fight.
'But certainly I'll do the fighting for him.'
A change.org petition she set up has secured more than 200,000 signatures and Ms Gear has joined the 'unite, diagnose, save lives' campaign from the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The petition is thought to be the largest related to a disease in the UK.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
6 hours ago
- STV News
Sir Chris Hoy: Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given me purpose
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given Sir Chris Hoy 'a purpose', he has said. One of Scotland's most decorated athletes, Sir Chris, announced his diagnosis last year, shocking the sporting world. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. The inbox on his Instagram account, he told the Sunday Times, is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the newspaper. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. 'That campaign has saved lives,' he said. 'And you know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Sir Chris says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table,' he said. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Scotsman
'Morally repugnant': Inside a mother's desperate battle for NHS mental health treatment for her son
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A mother of two autistic children has claimed it is an 'open secret' that children cannot get NHS mental health treatment unless they are actively trying to kill themselves. Her eight-year-old son, who is also non-verbal, ended up in accident-and-emergency (A&E) four times in the past year. He has been referred to NHS Ayrshire and Arran's child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) by the A&E department, his GP and his school - but all requests have been rejected. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Liberal Democrats say they have also been told children with autism and ADHD are being 'systemically excluded' from accessing CAMHS. More than 7,000 children are currently using mental health services in Northern Ireland. The child's mother, who did not wish to be named, said this was a 'scandal' and 'morally repugnant'. She said she had ended up having to rely on family members to pay for private treatment. Speaking to The Scotsman, the mother said: 'He has had so many referrals to CAMHS all saying 'please help this child', but we keep getting turned down. 'The more I speak to other autistic parents, the more this seems to be a pattern if they are struggling with suicidal ideation. There is an open secret - CAMHS are not accepting anyone unless they've actively tried to kill themselves. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is ridiculous. It is not acceptable for so many kids to be left behind when they are in such trouble. It is a scandal and morally repugnant.' Last year 754 CAMHS referrals were rejected by NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Of these, 428 had been referred because of 'ADHD, ASD, ADD, FASD, LD, Asperger's or neurodevelopmental assessment'. Official figures published in March showed 90 per cent of young people had started treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland has stressed there are no routinely published figures for the number of children on separate lists waiting to be assessed for neurodevelopmental conditions. The organisation has previously called on the Scottish Government to be more transparent. The family who spoke to The Scotsman ended up paying for private treatment with financial help from grandparents. The initial assessment cost more than £700 and every three-month appointment was another £250. The child's mother said the private treatment was benefiting her son, which she said had showed he should have had his CAMHS referrals accepted. She said: 'Not everyone has the resources to go private and I have spoken to other parents who haven't been able to do this. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I want to see CAMHS helping children, it is as simple as that. My son is my first priority and I want to be able to help them without paying an arm and a leg for it.' NHS Ayrshire and Arran said it had achieved its treatment target of 100 per cent. However, the health board said CAMHS only accepted referrals for neurodevelopmental assessments where the child also had a 'clearly defined and treatable mental illness'. Caroline Cameron, director of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care, said: 'In line with Scottish Government recommendations, CAMHS now only accept referrals for neurodevelopmental assessments for those children and young people who have met the CAMHS criteria of having co-occurring mental health needs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The service has developed the neurodevelopmental CAMHS team specifically to provide assessment and diagnosis for children and young people whose neurodevelopmental disorder co-exists with a clearly defined and treatable mental illness.' She said new guidance was published in September 2021 for neurodiverse children who were referred to CAMHS, but said often these children 'do not always meet the mental health criteria'. Ms Cameron added: 'We are unable to comment on specific cases, however, would encourage any individual or guardian to contact services directly if not satisfied with the level of care and support or information provided by a service.' Opposition politicians in Holyrood said the blame for this lies squarely at the SNP's door. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 'GPs and campaigners have told me that kids with neurodiversity issues like autism and ADHD are being systemically excluded from accessing CAMHS. Alex Cole-Hamilton is MSP for Edinburgh Western 'If your kid broke their arm, you'd expect them to be seen the same afternoon. But faced with mental health or neurodiversity conditions, they might face a wait that stretches into the years if they can get care at all. 'The NHS is supposed to be free at the point of need, but for those families it simply isn't there. That's the result of years of SNP neglect.' Mr Cole-Hamilton added: 'Scottish Lib Dems led the charge in getting the Scottish Parliament to declare that there is a mental health crisis, despite opposition from the Government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Since then, we've set out a detailed plan for ensuring everyone has access to comprehensive mental health support, including training more professionals in key roles, from psychiatrists to mental health officers. That's the services that Scotland deserves.' Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's health spokeswoman, added: 'This heart-breaking case lays bare the real human cost of the SNP's mismanagement of our NHS. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie | Press Association 'Children in desperate need of support are left languishing on waiting lists for months or even years on end, and in some cases they are being turned away from overstretched services altogether. 'It is a scandal that this family has been forced to go private to get their son the help he needs and it demonstrates that our NHS is no longer free and available at the point of need. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'A Scottish Labour government will turn the page on SNP failure and rebuild services so families like this can trust that the NHS will be there for them in their hour of need.'
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit dad loses two stone in two months with one change
Marcel Botes, 33, from Edinburgh, was motivated by concerns about the impact his weight was having on his health Scottish dad, Marcel Botes, has shed an impressive 12.5kg (one stone and 13 pounds) in just two months, all thanks to a cutting-edge AI coaching app, and he couldn't be happier with the result. Concerns about his health, specifically his high blood pressure and cholesterol, spurred Marcel into action. Partial to the odd nibble here and there, he was struggling to get his munching under control - until the Simple App came along. He said: "Initially my biggest challenge was avoiding snacks, especially after dinner, but the app helped me make informed food choices." Delighted, he continued: "So far I've lost 12.5kg. I reached my original goal weight of 87.6kg in two months. I set a new target of 83.5kg, which I achieved a month later. Even after reaching my goal, I still log my meals and activities multiple times a day." His diligence has paid off. Following a medical check-up, Marcel got the thumbs up from his GP, who reported his BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels are all spot on and encouraged him to carry on. Simple is a user-friendly app that creates bespoke slimming programs based on lifestyle, activity levels, health goals and timeline. Users embark upon their weight loss journey by filling out an in-depth questionnaire about their goals, hang-ups, likings, and previous attempts at weight loss, reports MyLondon. By using an intermittent fasting tracker, the Simple method doesn't include calorie counting, cutting out essential food groups, or weighing every bite. Based on individual input, the app helps users choose a fasting schedule that suits them best- whether it's a balanced 12:12 split, a moderate 14:10 or the 16:8 routine. The 16:8 routine is the most popular intermittent fasting method where users eat during an 8-hour window - such as 10 am to 6 pm - and fast for the remaining 16 hours. During the fasting period, food must be avoided but calorie-free beverages can still be enjoyed. To help users stay on top of their nutrition, the app has various methods for logging food including typing, voice commands, or photographs with the nutriscanner. It also offers personalised exercise routines, from strength training and cardio to wall pilates. Now, those eager to start shedding pounds can emulate Marcel's success and snatch a fantastic 60% discount on personalised weight loss programmes via the Simple App by using the code REACH60. What makes the Simple App so effective is the addition of Avo, the built-in coach powered by artificial intelligence. Avo acts as a personal wellness companion, always on hand to instantly respond to users' questions, ensuring advice on wellbeing and fitness is just a tap away any time they need it. "I love that I can take a photo of my meal and Avo can track the nutritional value for me," continued Marcel. "I frequently use Avo's recipes. Interacting with it feels more like someone who is invested in my health, rather than an AI." For those seeking alternatives, there's a plethora of other health-focused apps on the market. The Lifesum app, for example, helps users to monitor their eating and exercise habits, encouraging healthier lifestyle choices. Myfitnesspal is another popular choice that offers comprehensive food tracking, meal planning, calorie counting and exercise routines. Both apps are free with optional premium upgrades for those looking for extra support and tools. Meanwhile, mum-of-two Laci Gilbert also had success with the Simple app. She dropped from 275lbs to 116lbs, utilising the workouts and meal planning via Avo. She said: "As working moms, wives, mothers, just family members, life takes over and sometimes we don't have time in the evenings to get ourselves to the gym or sometimes we just don't feel like moving. The Simple App gives you a no-excuse reason to get up and move, especially when you can do it at home with no equipment." 'It is great for a busy person who needs something to do at home or somebody who cannot afford a gym membership, equipment. All you need is yourself and a wall and you've got it,' adds Laci, who frequently does at-home wall pilates workouts. The Simple app boasts an impressive 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 29,591 reviews. A satisfied user commented: "It is an encouraging way to lose weight." Another user added: "This app is amazing. It's so easy to use and I love all of the interactions. "It's easy to follow," a different shopper explained. "I'm actually losing weight I've been stuck with forever." Despite the praise, some users did voice concerns about the application, as one remarked: "I am finding the program a little difficult to use." The Manchester Evening News also put the app through its paces in a Simple app review. They observed: "Simple's range of features are very reminiscent to what you'd get with a personal trainer: someone to hold you accountable, provide you with meal plans and recipes, and to give advice and encouragement." Highlighting a potential drawback, they added: "There are limitations to it, with the app being a robot, which makes the programme more suited to those who are just getting started or don't know where to start. If you need more advanced help or your weight loss is stalling, that's a good time to pick up the phone to a PT." Still, the app earned positive comments for certain aspects, as the review mentioned: "However, its food logging and recipe functions makes it worth the price of admission alone. Even though I'm keeping my PT, Simple will help spice things up for me going forward. I highly recommend this app." The Simple app is currently 60% off with code REACH60. This is not medical advice. This is a personal experience. Results may vary. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical conditions.
